Dame Sally Coates to take up new role

After five incredibly successful years at the helm of Burlington Danes Academy, Dame Sally Coates has decided to take up a new opportunity from September this year. She will be joining United Learning - another academy group - as a director.

The school community has paid tribute to her outstanding achievements as principal.

Lord Stanley Fink, Chair of Governors at Burlington Danes Academy, said: “On behalf of the whole school, I want to thank Sally for her hard work and the inspirational way she led our school. From a challenging beginning, Burlington Danes is now one of the best academies in the country.”

Lucy Heller, Chief Executive of ARK, said: “Sally will be much missed by parents, staff and students for the inspiring and exceptional way she led Burlington Danes. It is testament to Sally and her team that Burlington Danes has been transformed to an outstanding academy having been in special measures in 2006. We are sorry to see her go, but wish her every success in her new role. She leaves Burlington Danes in a position to excel as we appoint her successor.”

Dame Sally said: “I will really miss the wonderful friends that I have made at Burlington Danes amongst staff members, parents and of course students. I have no doubt that you will thrive as an exceptional school over the coming years.”

ARK Schools and the Governing Body have a recruitment process in place and will be recruiting an exceptional new Principal to lead us in this new chapter of Burlington Danes’ history. The new Principal will be in post at the beginning of the new school year in September.